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What to Expect from American Idol Finale Tonight (May 23, 2021)

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AMERICAN IDOL

American Idol airs its season finale tonight. The May 23 episode will feature the top 3 finalists performing one last time to try and secure votes to win the competition. Grace Kinstler, Chayce Beckham, and Willie Spence are taking the stage, each doing a solo. In addition to the trio’s performances, the previously eliminated 9 contestants will return to sing too. Celebrity judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan get in on the fun too, joining a whole slew of special guest artists for a 3-hour night of music. Get more details on tonight’s finale below.

What can fans expect from tonight’s American Idol finale?

The top 3 finalists are Grace Kinstler, Chayce Beckham, and Willie Spence. According to Billboard, Grace will sing “I Have Nothing” by Whitney Houston, Chayce performs Chris Stapleton’s “Fire Away,” and Willie will take on “A Change Is Gonna Come” from Sam Cooke. Apparently, the trio will also revisit past performances. Kinstler will redo Aretha Franklin’s “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.” Beckham retries Ed Sheeran’s “Afterglow,” and Spence revisits Cynthia Erivo’s “Stand Up.”

It only makes sense that the trio take on 3 individual songs, the last one of them picked by the judges. Grace is assigned “All By Myself” by Celine Dion; Chayce got “Blackbird” by The Beatles. Last but not least, Willie will perform “Georgia On My Mind” by Ray Charles. Speaking of the judges, Lionel, Katy, and Luke will be singing too. ABC’s official press release announced that Lindsey Buckingham, Alessia Cara, Luke Combs, Sheryl Crow, Fall Out Boy, Mickey Guyton, Chaka Khan, Leona Lewis and Macklemore will be joining them for tonight’s Idol episode.

Grace Kinstler posted to her Instagram reminding her fans to vote for her, because one of the finalists will be sent home during the first hour of the finale! She wrote: “I need you to vote at the START of the show to make sure I make it through the first hour of the show. I appreciate all of your support ❤️ thank you guys so very much!!!”

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A post shared by Grace Kinstler (@gracekinstlerofficial)

Let’s rewind to last week when Grace Kinstler covered Kelly Clarkson’s Idol winning song, “A Moment Like This.” Watch it below!

While Chayce Beckham’s last IG post was a few days ago regarding his music video for “23,” he did post an Instagram Story about a Taste of Country article that revisited his American Idol journey.

CHAYCE BECKHAM IG STORY
Credit: Chayce Beckham IG Story.

The official American Idol Instagram account posted a throwback tribute post to Willie Spence, writing that “Music is what @williespenceofficial was BORN to do.”

So, will Willie Spence make it to become the next Idol? What about Grace Kinstler, or Chayce Beckham? They need your votes to find out! Voting opens at the beginning of the episode, and will go on throughout the live performances tonight. Tune in to the American Idol finale from 8-11 PM ET, only on ABC.


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